CA2015906C - Method of continuous changing dye-colour in spray dyeing - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract Method of Continuous Changing Dye-colour in Spray Dyeing A method of continuous changing dye-colour in spray dyeing for a long tape, which is fed by guides continuously. According to a preferred embodiment, one dye-solution is sprayed for the tape from at least one dyeing-nozzle connected to one feeding line, which is either of a pair of feeding lines and which feeds selectively the one dye-solution or one cleaning-solution. When the tape is fed with a predetermined length, the spraying of the one dye-solution is stopped. Then, the one dyeing-nozzle is exchanged with at least one other dyeing-nozzle by turning the one dyeing-nozzle away from the tape and turning the other dyeing-nozzle to the tape for spraying another dye-solution. While the other dye-solution is sprayed, the one dyeing-nozzle, which was used for spraying for a proceeding sprayed portion of the tape, and the one feeding line, to which the one dyeing-nozzle is connected, are cleaned with the one cleaning-solution to prepare for spraying a new dye-solution Further, at just on time when an undyed portion, which is produced by the exchanging of the dyeing-nozzles, passes through each guide, the dye-solution attached to each guide is removed so as not to mix into a following sprayed portion of the tape.

Description

2~S9~6 Title of th~ yention Method of Continuous Changing Dye-Colour in Spray Dyei ng Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method of continuous changing dye-colour in spray dyelng for a long tape to be dyed such as a slide 10 fastener chaln, a slide fastener tape and the like, which is fed continuously, whlle the dye-colour is changed every time the tape is fed and sprayed with a predetermined length selected from many kinds of sizes.
2. Prlor Art As well known, ln conventional methods of spray dyeing, a tape to be dyed is sprayed wlth a dye-solution from one dyeing-nozzle.
However, when many kinds and small amounts of products are desired to be produced, dye-colour should be changed at every tape.
In this case, an lntroduclng tape, whlch ls used for changing of the 20 dye-colour and whose length is same to the length of a feed path for the tape from the lnlet to the outlet ln a dyelng apparatus, ls connected between a proceedlng tape to be dyed and a followlng tape to be dyed. When the lntroduclng tape comes the lnlet of the feed path on flnishlng of proceeding dyeing for the proceeding tape, ' spraying of a dye-solution from the dyeing-nozzle is stopped but feeding of the lntroduclng tape is yet continued untll the forward end of the introducing tape comes to the outlet of the feed path.
Then, in order to spray another dye-solution for the following tape, 5 following treatments are required;
Firstly, the dyeing-nozzle and an feeding line of the dye-solution to the dyeing-nozzle are cleaned. Secondly, the dye-soiution is changed to the other dye-solution. Finally, the guides, which are provided in the dyeing apparatus and by which the tape is 1 0 f ed , are c l e aned .
According to the above mentioned prior method by the dyeing apparatus having only one nozzle for the changing of the dye-. colour, the introducing tapes must be connected previously betweenthe proceeding tape and the following tape, and the feeding of the 15 tape must be stopped once at every cleaning operation. This causesa low efficiency of productivity due to labour for the changing of the dye-colour.

Surnmary of the Invention It ls therefore an ob~ect of the present lnvention to provide a 20 method of contlnuous changing dye-colour in spray dyelng for a long tape to be dyed, the method permits automatlc changlng of the dye-colour without a connectlng member such as an introducing tape and wlthout stop of feedlng of the tape.
. According to the present invention, at least one dyeing-nozzle25 is connected to one feeding line of a pair of feeding lines, each of which feeds selectively a dye-solution or a cleaning-solution. One 9~6 dye-solution is sprayed from the one dyeing-nozzle For a long tape, which is to be dyed and which is fed by guides continuously. When the tape is fed with a predetermined length, spraying with the one dye-solution is stopped. Then, the one dyeing-nozzle is exchanged 5 with one other dyeing-nozzle, which is connected to another feeding line feeding another dye-solution, in order to spray the other dye-solution for a following portion of the tape to be sprayed. During this spraying, the one dyeing-nozzle, which was used for the spraying for a proceeding sprayed portion of the tape, 10 and the one feeding line, to which the one dyeing-nozzle is connected, are cleaned to prepare for feeding a new dye-solution.
Further, while an undyed portion, which is produced by the exchanging of the dyeing-nozzles and which is provided between the proceeding sprayed portion and the following sprayed portion, 15 passes through each guide, the one dye-solution, which is attached to the guides, is removed The number of the dyeing-nozzles can be increased as desired in accordance wlth the width of the tape.
For changing of the dye-colour, the at least one dyeing-nozzle 20 is exchanged with at least one other dyelng-nozzles, which has been already prepared for next spraylng, thus, the changing of the dye-colour can be carrled out ln short tlme and the length of the undyed portion can be short. While the other dye-solution is sprayed, the one dyeing-nozzle, which was used for the spraying 25 for the proceedlng sprayed portion of the tape, Is cleaned to be prepared so as to spray the new dye-solution. Accordingly, one long tape can be separately dyed by many kinds of deslred dye-colours. ~loreover, the dye-solution, whlch has been attached to ,.,. .. .. . .. , . . ,. , ., .; , . --''' ' '.`, . ~.:

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each guide, is removed just on time when the undyed portion of the tape passes through each guide. Therefore, the dye-solution is not mixed into the following sprayed portion due to the cleaned guides.
As a result, the long tape can be continuously fed and the changing 5 of the dye-colour can be carried out surely.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to . the accompanying drawing wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.
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Brief DesGriDtion of the Drawin~s ., . Fig. 1 is a schematlc cross sectional view showing an . apparatus for carrylng out the method of continuous changing dye-colour in spray dyeing;
. Fig. 2 is a perspectlve view showing operatlon of spray dyeing;
15 Fig. 3 ls a perspective view showlng operation of cleaning for : a lower guide;
Fig. 4 ls a side view thereof;
Fig. 5 Is a perspectlve vlew showlng operatlon of cleaning for an upper guide; and Fig. 6 ls a perspectlve vlew showlng another embodlment of operation of cleanlng for a gulde locates near a place where spray .. dyeing ls carrled out.

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Des~.ription of the Preferred Em~odiment Now, the method of the present invention is described referring to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
By an apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a long tape 1 to be dyed, which 5 is made by woven or knitted cationdyeable-polyester-fiber, is sprayed with a dye-solution 10, 11 at the temperature of 100C
under an atmospheric pressure. The apparatus comprises a predrying chamber 2, a dye-solution spraylng chamber 3, a colouring chamber 4 and a water seal bath 5. The colouring 10 chamber 4 is placed to be connected to the dye-solution spraying chamber ~ and bends to be hook-shaped chamber comprising a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. After the tape 1 is fed through the predrylng chamber 2, the tape 1 ls lnserted into the dye-solution spraylng chamber ~ from the bottom thereof. Nextl 15 the tape 1 is fed through the dye-solutlon spraylng chamber ~ and the colourlng chamber 4 by more than two (ln this embodiment, four) guldes 41, 42, 43, 44 ln the chambers 3, 4. Then, the tape 1, which is fed out from the bottom of the colourlng chamber 4, is fed through the water seal bath 5. Flnally, the tape 1 ls taken off by a 20 take-off roll 6.
Dry alr of 1 20C ls blown lnto the predrylng chamber 2. Steam ~s introduced lnto the dye-solution spraylng chamber 3 from a steam lnlet 30 and lnto the colourlng chamber 4 from a steam inlet 40, so that humld alr of 100C is kept ln the chambers 3, 4.

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2Q~S9t3 In the dye-solution spraying chamber 3, the tape 1 is fed upward. A pair of dyeing-nozzles 31, 32 are provided at the side of the fed tape 1 in the dye-solution spraying chamber 3. The dye-solution 10, 11 and a cleaning-solution 12, 13 are sprayed from the dyeing-nozzles 31, 32. The dyeing-nozzles 31, 32 are designed so that one dyeing-nozzle 31, 32 is turned to the tape I while another dyeing-nozzle 32, 31 is turned away from the tape 1 by turns. That is to say, in Fig. 1, the dyeing-nozzle 31 faces the tape 1 and the dyeing-nozzle 32 faces downward, their directions can be changed . 10 every time the dye-colour is changed.
Each dyeing-nozzle 31, 32 locates and dlrects with a relation shown in Flg. 2. The dye-solution 10, 11 is sprayed in the shape of an unfolded fan on a plane from the dyeing-nozzle 31 as shown in Flg. 2. The dyeing-nozzle 31 adJacent the tape 1 swings downward about a plpe 71 with an angle of 90in the direction of an arrow 33 The other dyeing-nozzle 32, which has dlrected downward and vertically, swings upward about a pipe 81 wlth an angle of 270 in the directlon of an arrow 34. If the dyeing-nozzles 31, 32 are exchanged each other, operatlon of each dyelng-nozzle 31, 32 in Flg. 2 ls carrled out by the other dyelng-nozzle 32, 31. Although there are two dyelng-nozzles 31, 32 in thls flgure, the number of the dyeing-nozzles can be lncreased ln accordance wlth the wldth of the tape 1. Each pipe 71, 81 ls connected to each dyeing-nozzle 31, 32 respectlvely. Each bypass draln 79, 89 ls diverged from each plpe 71, 81, through the lntermedlary of each solenold controlled valve 35, 36 respectlvely.

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L59~6 As shown in Fig. 1, a solution collecting part 37, which is V-shaped on its cross section and which has a drain 38 on its bottom, is provided under the dye-solution spraying chamber 3.
' Each dyeing-nozzle 31, ~2 is connected to each feeding line 7, 5 8, which feeds selectively the dye-solution 10, 11, or cleaning-solution 12, 13. Each feeding line 7, 8 forms a spraying assembly, - which will be describeci as follows. The mechanisms of the both spray assemblies are same, thus only one of them is explained. A
dye-solution tank 73 and a cleaning-solution tank 74 are placed on 10 a table 72. The pipe 71 is moved upward and downward by a cylinder 75. The cylinder 75 is rotated or the table 72 is rotated.
Accordingly, an Intake of the pipe 71 can be lnserted into and pulled out from the dye-solution tank 73 and the cleaning-solution tank 74 by turns. A pump 76, a regulator 77 and a steam heater 78 15 are furnished on the pipe 71 one by one. As for the feeding line 8, a table 82, a dye-solutlon tank 83, a cleaning-solution tank 84, a cylinder 85, a pump 86, a regulator 87 and a steam heater 88 are . furnlshed on the pipe 81 similarly.
Therefore, the dyeing-nozzle 31 faces the tape 1, which is fed 20 continuously, so that the dye-solution 10 is sprayed from the dyeing-nozzle 31 for the tape 1 whlle the other dyeing-nozzle 32 .. faces downward the draln ~8 so that the spraylng assembly including the dyeing-nozzle ~2 is cleaned wlth the cleaning-solution 13 fed by the feedlng llne 8 of the cleaning-solution 1~.
25 In this operation, slnce the bypass dra~n 89 is provided besides the dyelng-nozzle 32, cleaning is carrled out in far shorter time than cleaning without the bypass drain 89 with the cleaning-solution 13, which would flow out from only the dyeing-nozzle 32. That is ..

- 8 - 2~59~j to say, the great amount of the cleaning-solution 13 is flown out, mainly from the bypass drain 89 in addition to from the dyeing-nozzle 32. Before this cleaning operation is finished, the dye-solution 11, which is different from the dye-solution 10, is 5 prepared to be fed, by means of, for example, rotating the table 82 or rotating the cylinder 85. Then, after cleaning, the intake of the pipe 81 is inserted into the tank 83, which contains the other dye-solution 1 t, further the bypass drain 89 is closed so that this spraying assembly prepares for feeding the dye-solution 11. When 1 0 the tape 1 is fed with a predetermined length, feeding of the dye-solution 10 is stopped. In order to change the dye-colour, the dyeing-nozzle 31, whlch has finished spraying for the proceeding sprayed portion of the tape 1, is turned away from the tape 1, while the other dyeing-nozzle ~2, which has finished being cleaned 15 with the cleaning-solution 13, is turned to the tape 1 to spray the dye-solution 11 During changing operatlon of the dye-colour, the tape I
continues to be fed by the guides 41, 42, 43, 44 in the colouring chamber 4. The guldes 41, 42, 43, 44 should be cleaned after every 20 changing of the dye-colour, because, if the guides 41, 42, 43, 44 are not cleaned, the dye-solutlon 10, 11 which ls attached to each guide 41, 42, 43, 44 would be mixed lnto a following sprayed portlon wlth the other dye-solutlon 11, 10. In this embodlment, there are different means for cleanlng the guldes 41, 42, 43, 44; a 25 flrst means carried out in the flrst half of thls cleanlng operatlon for the guldes 41, 42 and a second means carried out in the second half of thls cleanlng operatlon for the guides 43, 44.

59t~, g As shown in Fig. 1, the first means for cleaning the guides 41, 42 comprises two same mechanisms; one mechanism for cleaning the guide 41, another mechanism for cleaning the guide 42. In the one mechanism, the guide 41 is provided with a primary roll 20 5 placed in the colouring chamber 4, a vice-roll 22 placed outside of the colouring chamber 4, and an endless belt-shaped liner 45. The liner 45 is put over between the primary roll 20 and the vice-roll 22. The primary roll 20 lets the tape 1 change its direction at right angle. A rotating force is transformed to either the primary 10 rol 1 20 or the vice-roll 22. A cleaning-nozzle 24 faces the 1 iner 45 which is put over the vice-roll 22 at the lower part of its periphery. When the spraying operatlon is carried out, the liner 45 is at rest. An undyed portion is produced, between a proceeding sprayed portion and the following sprayed portlon, by exchanging of 15 the dyeing-nozzles 31, 32 each other so as to face the tape 1 by turns. Just on time when the undyed portion passes through the guide 41, the llner 45 ~s rotated with an angle of 180 so that a clean portion of the liner 45 covers the prlmary roll 20 while each dye-solution 10, 11, whlch ls attached to the llner 45, is removed 20 wlth each cleaning-solutlon 13, 12 from the cleanlng-nozzle 24.
Cleaning operation uslng thls mechanlsm can be carrled out by not only above mentloned operatlon but also followlng operatlon;
The llner 45 keeps rotatlng durlng spray dyelng. Before changlng the dye-colour, the llner 45 ls cleaned wlth the cleanlng-25 solution 13, 12 from the cleanlng-nozzle 24 for a predetermlned tlme. Then, the changlng of the dye-colour ls carrled out.

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The other mechanism containing a primary roll 21, a vice-roll 2~, a liner 46, and a cleaning-nozzle 25 is operated similarly to the above mentioned mechanism.
As shown in Figs. 2, ~, 4 and 5, the second means for cleaning 5 the guides 43, 44, by which the tape 1 is fed downward and forward in a zigzag line in the vertical portion of the colouring chamber 4, .~ comprises an upper mechanism and a lower mechanism. The tape 1 . is put over a roll 47 at the lower part of its periphery in the lower mechanism-and is put over a roll 48 at the upper part of its 1 0 periphery in the upper mechanism. In the low mechanism, the roll 47 itself serves as the guide 43. A drain roll 49 is placed in ~: pressure to be contacted wlth the roll 47. A cleaning-nozzle 26 isplaced so as to spray each cleanlng-solution 12, 13 for the rolls 47, 49. A recelvlng gutter 28 is placed under the tape 1 which puts . 1 5 over the roll 47 at the lower part of its periphery. The upper .. mechanism has same composition with the composition of the lower mechanism except that a receiving gutter 29 is placed under a cleaning-nozzle 27 and a drain roll 50, which is placed in pressure to be contacted with a roll 48. Then, ~ust on time when : 20 the undyed portion of the tape I passes through the guide 4~, 44, each cleaning-solution 13, 12 is sprayed for the rolls 47, 48, 49, 50 for removing each dye-solutlon 10, 11 attached to each roll 47, 48.
As the first means for cleanlng the guides 41, 42, a means, whlch ls similar to the above mentioned second means, can be used.
For example, as shown in Fig. 6, a roll 48' itself serves as a gulde . 41' and a drain roll 50' is placed in pressure to be contacted with the roll 48'. Further a receiving gutter 29' is placed under the rolls , . .

2~ ~9~&, 48', 50'. Then, each cleaning-solution 13, 12 is sprayed for the tape I from a cleaning-nozzle 27'.
Hot water of 1 00C is preferably used as the cleaning-solution 12, 13 in order to keep conditions of an atmosphere in the colouring 5 chamber 4.
In this embodiment, cleaning for the guides 41, 42, 43, 44 is carried out with the cleaning-solution 12, 13. However, other suitable solutions can be used as the cleaning-solution.
While preferred embodiments have been described, it is 10 apparent that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof.

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Claims (3)

1. A method of continuous changing dye-colour in spray dyeing for a long tape, which is to be dyed and which is continuously fed by guides, said method comprising;

spraying one dye-solution for said tape, from at least one dyeing-nozzle connected to one feeding line, which is either of a pair of feeding lines and which selectively feeds said one dye-solution or one cleaning-solution;

stopping said spraying with said one dye-solution for said tape, when said tape is fed with a predetermined length;

exchanging said one dyeing-nozzle with at least one other dyeing-nozzle, which is connected to another feeding line, so that another dye-solution is sprayed from said other dyeing-nozzle, after stopping said spraying with said one dye-solution;

cleaning said one dyeing-nozzle and said one feeding line, to which said one dyeing-nozzle is connected, with said one cleaning-solution, which is fed by said one feeding line, while said other dye-solution is sprayed for said tape; and cleaning each guide, while an undyed portion, which is produced by said exchanging of said dyeing-nozzles, passes through each guide.

2. A method of continuous changing dye-colour in spray dyeing for said tape according to claim 1, wherein said exchanging of said dyeing-nozzles is carried out by turning of said one dyeing-nozzle away from said tape and turning of said other dyeing-nozzle to said tape.

3. A method of continuous changing dye-colour in spray dyeing for said tape according to claim 1, wherein said guides are cleaned with said each cleaning-solution from said each cleaning-nozzle, which is connected to said each feeding line.